Watching Her Journey 11

  A hand suddenly grabbed Athanasia’s wrist, startling her. 

  “Gaaahh!!” She screamed.

  “Ah, that must be when I caught the princess itself sneaking in the kitchen.” Lily shook her head.

  Lily’s eyes widened, “Princess! Your presence is requested.” Lily said, confusing the princess.

  The screen switched to the outside of the palace. There, unfamiliar maids bowed politely. “It’s an honour to serve princess Athanasia.”

  “The Emperor must’ve assigned them to the princess.” Ijekiel said. Lucas rolled his eyes, ‘Obviously.’

  ‘W-what’s with all this?’ Athanasia thought to herself.

  The red-haired knight stepped up to the front and kneeled.

  “Felix Robaine, at your service.” Felix introduces himself.

  He raised his head to look at the princess in front of him. “I will be your temporary royal guard starting from today, my Princess.” The maids squeaked when the knight showed his deary-smile.

  Anastacius chuckled. “Looks like you’re quite a popular one.” Felix hid his face in embarrassment when he heard the previous Emperor’s remark.

  “We…” Lily looked around, unsure of what she should say. “We are grateful for his Majesty’s concern but how could we have Sir Felix as a guard…”

  ‘What’s with this last minute compensation?’ Athanasia sweatdropped. ‘What about when I fell in the water?’

  Felix just smiled at them.

  ‘I know that Sir Robaine is a looker, but now I understand why the maids were always talking about him.’ Lily thought.

  “His Majesty’s intention is to cherish the princess and treat her well.”

  “Is that really his intention?” Lucas asked, voicing out their thoughts.

  “D-Does he now?” Lily asked, not convinced.

  ‘Treat her well…?’ The maids thought, unsure if the words that came out from the Royal Guard is sure to trust.

  “I wasn’t lying…” Felix said. ‘But considering how His Majesty abandoned the princess… He understood well their unsure feeling.’

  “His Majesty is preparing an official guard for the princess so I won’t be here long.” Felix explained.

  “It’s an honor to serve you, my Princess.”

  “I’m excited! I’m sure there will be a lot more interactions of His Majesty and the princess.” Jennette said to Ijekiel.

  “Yeah, we will be able to see how the princess grew.” He smiled.

  The screen showed the princess pouting her lips.

  ‘How cute…’

  “I wanna see Hannah and Ces.” Athanasia said in demand.

  ‘I guess the princess is already living in the Emerald Palace.’ Ijekiel thought.

  “If you wish to see them again, surely you will.” Lily tried to comfort the princess.

  “When?”

  “Umm… After ten days?” This irked the princess.

  “I feel bad…” Lily 

  ‘That Claude!!’ 

  “… That Claude?” Claude was flabbergasted.

  ‘He didn’t send in additional maids, he switched the old one’s!’ Athanasia shouted in mind.

  “This… is like a punishment, especially when you get too close with your maids…” Jennette muttered.

  ‘Are they already working in a different Palace, too?!’

  “The princess must have her heart too close with those maids of her.” Anastacius began. “And her great father decided to created a wall between their bond. I can tell how this must’ve hurt the princess.” He shook his head in disappointment.

  “No. She’s sulking like that because the new maids that I assigned wouldn’t get effected by her charms.” Claude replied in monotone.

  Athanasia dramatically kneeled. ‘These new maids will be indifferent to my charms… all that hard work, tossed away…’

  ‘You didn’t give a second thought when the maids were stealing jewels from here, so what’s with all this?!’

  ‘I never gave any interest about the jewels, but whether I don’t or give attention to it, they wouldn’t get past away from the punishments awaiting for them.’ Claude thought.

  “Now now, princess. Don’t be upset.” Felix comforted the princess. “Why don’t we have a chat with his Majesty?” 

  “Uhm…”

  Felix smiled at them, oblivious. “His Majesty happened to mention that he wants to spend time with the princess during summer.” He spoke with a bright voice. He then looked at the two who stared at him in frozen shocked.

  “Sir, I think you made it worse…” Lily carefully said. “… I guess I did.” Felix felt like crying.

  ‘Well then, wouldn’t it be easier…’

  ‘… For me to die and be reborn again?’

  “I’m sorry princess!!” Felix lowered his head. They all sweatdropped at his action.

  The scene changed.

  ‘According to Felix, the lotuses at the center of the lake are magical creatures.’

  ‘Monstrous creatures that lure people into the water to steal their energy.’

  ‘Creatures that lure people to steal their energy? Not surprising.’ Lucas thought to himself.

  ‘Claude, you dog! And you were just sitting there, staring!’ The princess began cursing her father after remembering the horrific event.

  Anastacius chuckled. “I’m wondering what kind of names your daughter will be calling you in the following scenes.”

  “Princess, wouldn’t it be best if you change your clothes…” 

  “Oh, they’re picking dresses!” Ijekiel smiled at Jennette.

  Athanasia hid behind Felix. “Nyoo!” She said, whining.

  ‘Why would I need to dress nicely for the likes of him!’ 

  ‘The princess really hates his Majesty…’ ijekiel felt a little sympathy for the Emperor.

  “Sir Felix, say something…” Lily gave Felix a sign.

  Felix immediately got it, and turned around to face the princess. “Princess Athanasia looks lovely in everything. Certainly his Majesty would think likewise.” He smiled.

  ‘Eh?!’ Athanasia looked at him in doubt.

  “You’re right of course, but…” Lily didn’t know what to say.

  ‘Why do you give into such nonsense? There’s no way Claude would be like that.’

  “She’s developing a trust issue.” Lucas said.

  “Come on, princess.” Felix carried Athanasia in his arms. “I’ll be off.” He bid a goodbye to the nanny.

  “Have a good time…”

  ‘Why do I feel like we’re watching a couple bidding goodbyes to each other.’ Lucas rolled his eyes.

  Felix’ footsteps echoed to the empty hallways as he walked, holding the princess in hid arms. He walked until they reached the Garnet Palace. 

  He knocked first before saying “Your Majesty, Princess Athanasia is here for you.” But there was no answer from Claude.

  Athanasia noticed something so she called the knight’s attention. “Mister, Mister.” 

  Felix looked at the princess in his arms. “Yes?” He responded. “Why aren’t there ladies or knight’s in papa’s Palace?” Athanasia asked.

  Anastacius raised his brow in interest. 

  “There is no one in waiting, because he prefers to do everything to himself.”

  “How selfless…” Duke Alpheus muttered.

  “And the reason why there are no knight’s guarding this palace is because… there’s no need.” Felix smiled, while Athanasia gave him a questioning look.

  ‘Ah… reckless as ever.’ Anastacius closed his eyes.

  “And you don’t need to call me mister. Call me Felix or Robaine. Please, address me casually.” Felix requested.

  “Okay!”

  Jennette also nodded.

  “I think his Majesty might be in bed.” 

  They sweatdropped.

  ‘He called for me and then fell asleep? What a lazy son of a– No, I guess this is for the best.’

  ‘Was she about to curse me?’ Claude raised his brows.

  “Athy wants to go back.” Athanasia took advantage.

  “Don’t be like that. Why don’t you go in?” Athanasia froze in Felix’s suggestion.

  “Again, I’m so sorry, princess!”

  “Eh?”

  “His Majesty would be pleased to be woken up by you, princess.”

  “No! Wait!”

  “I’ll wait for you out here.” Felix closed the door.

  ‘What have I done?!’ Felix thought.

  Athanasia’s heartbeat can be heart from the screen. ‘You… Felix you little…’ She paled.

  “I’m really sorry!”

  “We know you’re sorry, please don’t cry…” Lily gave him an assuring smile.

  Athanasia struggled as she tried to push the door using her small arms. Eventually she stopped, and eyed the bed.

  ‘Ah, is it possible… that he woke up at the sound of the door?’ Athanasia thought, feeling nervous. ‘Let’s just stay quiet, as quiet as a mouse…’

  “I just hope nothing bad will happen to the princess.” Ijekiel watched the scene intently.

  ‘But really, is it necessary to wake him up?’

  ‘No.’ Claude answered in his thought.

  ‘If there is nothing going on, I’ll just go back.’

  But some of the furniture caught her eye. ‘What’s with this simple bedroom? Both bed and the door are basic… I heard the the previous Emperor was tyrant obsessed with riches.’

  “Being a royal doesn’t always mean to have a room full of gold.” Claude said.

  ‘Whoa…’ Athanasia awed as she stared at the golden portrait of a map. ‘Yep, it is…’ She covered her mouth.

  “What did you say?” Anastacius teased the Emperor.

  ‘Never ever in the history of my being have I seen anything like this before.’ She ran closer to the golden portrait. ‘If I have this, I won’t need a golden candle stick or a golden rattle!’

  ‘Her obsession of golds are really…’ Lucas didn’t continue his thoughts.

  Athanasia ran in circulation, admiring all the gold furnitures. ‘I love it here!’

  They chuckled at her enthusiasm.

  But a portrait of a woman caught her eye. Athanasia stopped at stared at the portrait. ‘That’s gold too…’ 

  ‘Is that…’

  Athanasia’s brows furrowed, ‘I know who that is.’ She turned around, suddenly feeling awkward. ‘Hmm, I’ve seen too much.’

  But when she turned around, she saw her father peacefully sleeping on the couch. Which startled her. 

  Claude surprisingly chuckled.

  Athanasia held her chest. ‘W-what’s he doing here instead of in his bed?’

  ‘Why? Can’t I sleep in there?’ Claude thought.

  Athanasia stared at this face. ‘Whoa. He’s sleeping like a princess from a fairytale.’

  ‘He’s quite the looker when he’s like this.’

  They chuckled. 

  ‘Can’t you just stay asleep forever?’ Athanasia waved her hand on Claude’s face.

  ‘What are you going to do?’ Claude asked in his mind.

  ‘His not waking up. He really is fast asleep.’

  ‘…’

  “Is she about to do something?”

  Athanasia clenched her fists. 

  ‘…’

  ‘Should I give him a little wake up punch?’

To Be Continued.

  “A wake up punch?”